It Doesn't Take A Genius

One of my critics on Facebook saw the following post and then made the comment listed below:

Geoffrey said:

John Adams also said this, within a month or so of the quote you cite- "The proposition that the people are the best keepers of their own liberties is not true. They are the worst conceivable, they are no keepers at all; they can neither judge, act, think, or will, as a political body." So, what do you think he is suggesting there, genius?

McNaughton said:

Are you serious?  Has our government strayed so far from the Founder's intent that we no longer recognize where we came from?  

First of all, to understand the quote on the painting is to see that Adams believed our Constitution would only survive as long as the majority of Americans were moral and maintained their religious values.    Even more than today, at the time of the Founders, most Americans were Christian.  (Today about 77% of Americans view themselves as Christian.) The Judeo-Christian values of life and liberty were the foundation of this country.

The next quote is a direct reference to our Republican form of government.  You see, Geoffrey, we were not intended to be a Democracy.  In a government where each individual casts a vote you eventually fall prey to "mob rule."  Because most voters, "can neither judge, act, think, or will, as a political body." This is what is happening in America today and we are spending ourselves into oblivion with entitlements and foreign wars. If you have enough people in a Democracy voting one way you can trample the rights of others.  Just look at our current tax code.  Are all Americans treated fairly? 

Why are we no longer a Republic?  When the 17th Amendment to the Constitution was passed in 1913 it made the election of Senators no longer an appointment of the State legislature and put it up to a popular vote. (1913 was not a good year for American freedom.) This shattered the pattern of electing trusted politicians on a local level and holding them responsible to appoint Senators to best protect the rights of the state.  Today, most senators appeal to the popular vote and are beholden to special interests who fund their campaigns and pull the strings.

A Republic form of government was designed to vote and appoint our greatest advocates for freedom and the Constitution and protect the rights of the states. Yes, the Republic is dead and our Constitution is barely alive.  It doesn't take a genius to see that America has chosen a path to destruction and unless we wake up and restore the moral and religious values of our nation WE WILL FAIL.

If You Love Me, Spell My Name With a "Y"

Another interesting dialogue with someone on my Facebook page.  What do you think?

Bay Native said:

"thats not how Yehshua looked...wrong nationality ... very typical for a white man to paint Him caucasion

How would you like it if the people that loved you the most couldnt even get your name right... there ws no J at that time His name is Yehshua"

McNaughton said:

There are a number of people that believe a critical part of “correct” Christianity is whether you believe Christ had a certain color of skin, eye color, hair color, hair length, spelled His name with a “Y” versus a “J,” etc.  I believe it is foolish to place emphasis on these things.  If it were truly important, would Jesus have not stated such details?  Perhaps it is an individual quest to learn such things.  As an artist, I only worry about Jesus’ outward appearance to the extent that it creates a familiar image and to help “build faith” in Christ.  As for myself, my focus is to know Him in a more personal way unaffected by such trivial questions.

To learn more of my experience in “How to Paint Jesus” click the link below:

http://blog.mcnaughtonart.com/2010/11/how-do-you-paint-face-of-christ.html

You Should Pray for Obama

Here is another dialogue with someone on my Facebook.  I normally don’t respond to negative comments, but sometimes I just have to do it!

Misty said:
I think it's wrong to use your art to pick on one person. Even if you don't like what he does I don't think this does anything but cultivate resentment & hate. Would this help lead Obama or anyone else to Jesus? Why don't you pray for his salvation instead of painting these pictures against him?

McNaughton said:
Misty, most Christians do just that; they mind their business and pray. You are correct that the painting cultivates resentment, and among some even hate.  If I was alive at the time of the War of Independence with Britain should I have only prayed for King George’s soul? What was the intent of the Founders when they signed the Declaration of Independence?  Fortunately, we still have our rights and a voting process.  I will do all in my power to awaken as many people as possible to the dire situation we face.  There are a lot of “good” things in this world that do not lead a person to Jesus that are important none the less.  I have prayed for Obama and our country many times, but God requires us to do all we can after we pray.  "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed all things are possible." This painting is my way of calling out Obama and his administration. Can you think of a better way?

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

Here is a short dialogue I had with a visitor to my Facebook…

Smith said:

Have you ever read the bible Jon? "Judge not lest ye be judged"! I'm sure that God does not think of Obama as "evil"! Why can't we just pray and ask that who ever is our president will make the right decisions for our country.

McNaughton said:

Judge not lest ye be judged? You just judged me. We are required to judge every day between right and wrong. I will forgive a person who trespasses me and comes asking for forgiveness. I will strive to not have malice in my heart toward any man.  I will not suspend mercy on those who ask for it.  But I will not sit idly by and watch an insidious group of people destroy our country. Imagine if G. Washington had said to the Colonials as they prepared to fight the British, "Judge not let ye be judged." Smith, Christ also said, "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth." Rev 3:16  We can not sit on the fence when it comes to standing up for what is right.

God Should be a Socialist?

Another interesting conversation between me and the "Fear Tactic Atheist":

Stephen

Lets say, HYPOTHETICALLY (i am very tired of you guys going OMG HE SAID JESUS AS A FEAR TACTIC, CLEARLY HE FEARS JESUS), that God does exist, he would be a far far worst creature than the Devil ever could be, hey hes the o...ne who allows the devil to exist. The Greek philosopher Epicurus put it best "Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?" logically you have to accept one of these out comes otherwise your just being illogical

Jon

Stephen, Epicurus knows nothing about the nature of God.  Why does God allow there to be evil in the world?  Why doesn't He just force all of us to be good and righteous to each other?  Why doesn't He just give us all a happy, plentiful, joyous life with no sorrow or grief?  If God exists, aren't we all entitled to a life of bounty?  Hmm, I wonder why God is NOT a Socialist?  The same God who gives us life and the air we breathe blesses us with enough to make the world a wonderful place.  Why do we have to struggle?  Because we grow and develop and show Him and ourselves what we are capable of doing.  As we follow true principles we prosper and we raise the quality of humankind, as we sin we fail.  Our life does not end at death...that's when the real life begins.  Yes Stephen, there is a war between good and evil.  You’re on the wrong side brother.

Jesus as a Fear Tactic

Here is an interesting short conversation with an Atheist, pro-Obama person who does not like my paintings.  What do you think?

Stephen

I've spent 13 years in Catholic schooling, trust me I know the bible and made a well informed decision when I left the church. I am not an expert of the Constitution, but want to know who is? The supreme court who upheld Obamacare. But that... is besides the point, your using Jesus as a fear tactic and not as his message was originally intended. You make people think that our government is somehow "going against" his teachings and will bring about destruction, you garner popularity by scaring people, If we were in the Bible you would be the guys selling things outside the church when Jesus got angry and flipped out on them.

Jon

"Using Jesus as a fear tactic," is an interesting way of describing me as an artist. Yes, I use Jesus as a "fear tactic"...especially to those who have reason to be afraid.  Anyone who cries repentance tries to show the despair and gloom associated with breaking God's law. To those who love God and liberty He's a great source of comfort. I know that God loves all of us (even Atheists who support Obama), but He allows us to make our own desicions.  The consequences of our choices can bring great fear, but we alone are responsible.

As for my livelyhood...  99% of the people who enjoy my work pay nothing. The 1% that purchase help me to make a living and support me to paint more. I sure won't apologize for that.

I don't know what happened to you Stephen, but you are contending from the wrong side of the fence. 

Why I Believe the Constitution was Inspired

Since releasing my painting "One Nation Under God in the summer of 2009, I have literally received thousands of letters from people all over the world.  Some responses are supportive, while others would like to hang me out to dry.

"We are not a Christian nation!"

"Have you forgotten about separation of church and state?"

"God has nothing to do with this country, we are no better than the rest of the planet!"

"The Founders were mostly Deists and hated religion...do your homework first!"

Many of the letters are too vile to even repeat, but it has brought to my attention just how confused many people are about the connection the early American colonists had to Jesus Christ.  I am amazed at how far our country has strayed from the truth regarding the American Covenant.  Most Americans have never heard of it.

I decided to write a short synopsis of why I believe the way I do.  I carefully laid out the history with many of the quotes from Congress and the Founding Fathers.  Some of this you may not have heard before, but I did my best to footnote everything.  It's about ten pages long, so if you are interested why I believe we are One Nation Under God---take a look!

http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/ONUG.pdf